Highland settling in the Early Mesolithic. Insight from the record of Cima Dodici open-air sites, Venetian pre-Alps (Italy)

Abstract

Large areas of the Italian Alps were home to early Holocene hunter-gatherers, who exploited the highlands seasonally throughout the entire Mesolithic period. This is evident on the southern slope of Cima Dodici, a peak located along the northernmost fringe of the Asiago Plateau, where sites are distributed between 2000 and 2100 m of elevation, representing a unique context for investigating Mesolithic settlement patterns at the onset of Holocene. This work integrates previous excavation data, re-evaluation of surface collections, and the analysis of the spatial distribution of lithic assemblages from two excavated sites, providing an updated framework for understanding the sites and their main characteristics. Despite potential post-depositional disturbances, the pattern at CD3 reveals a possible organization of activities, with designated areas for specific tasks. In contrast, the spatial distributions at CD9 appear to be influenced by the accumulation of artifacts in depressions. Surface collection data from other sites provide additional information about the settlement network and potential functional differences between sites, although the scarcity of diagnostic artifacts in some assemblages, limits interpretation. Overall, the study highlights the complexity of Mesolithic settlement pattern on the Asiago Plateau, highlighting adaptations to the specific environmental conditions of mid and high-altitude settlings.